NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The longest-serving U.S. congressman from Louisiana has decided not to run for re-election, saying someone else can come up with ideas of how to break the gridlock in Washington.
Republican Rep. Rodney Alexander from Quitman in Louisiana's 5th District issued a statement Tuesday afternoon, saying partisan posturing has created a standstill in Congress.
Alexander was a Democrat when he narrowly defeated a Republican for the seat in 2002.
He made a last-minute party switch to the GOP just before the sign-up period for the 2004 race ended. He won that race and was never seriously challenged again.